MR MAKWEMATICS LESSONS

GENERAL CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATION

PHYSICS END OF MONTH EXAMS

PAPER 3 JUNE 2024 FORM 5

TIME: 2 HRS 30 MINS

INSTRUCTIONS TO CANDIDATES
1. Answer ALL questions on separate.
2. Use blue or black pens.
3. Write eligibly.
4. If you use more than one sheet of paper, fasten them together.
5. Non-programmable scientific calculators may be used.
6. If a numerical value of g is required take it as 9.81ms-2

INFORMATION FOR CANDIDATES

The number of marks is given in brackets [ ] at the end of each question.

Copyright: mrmakwematics@J2024
1|P a g e mrmakwematics@J2024
©mrmakwematics@J2024
 ANSWER ALL QUESTIONS
i. a) Distinguish between a random error and systematic error in measurement of a physical
quantity [2]

b) In an experiment to measure the acceleration of free fall, g, a steel took 807 ms to fall a
distance of 3.20 m from rest.
i. Calculate the value of g.
ii. If the uncertainty in the time of free fall was ±5ms, calculate the percentage uncertainty
in the value of g calculated in (i) above. [5]

c) i) Express the volt in base units.

ii) Identify vectors and scalars from the following list of quantities:

 electric field strength

 momentum
 gravitational field energy [4]

d) The resistivity force, F acting on a sphere depends on its radius, r, speed, v and density, ρ of a
medium.

i. State the base units of F, ρ, and v

ii. Hence derive an equation for F in terms of ρ, v and r [4]

2. a) i) Define acceleration.
ii) Using the definition of average velocity and acceleration
Derive v2 = u2 + 2as [2]
ii) An object can undergo acceleration at constant speed. Explain why ? [3]

b) Distinguish elastic collision and inelastic collision. [2]

c) A mass, m, travelling with a velocity, u, collides with a stationary mass, M. After

collision the collision the two masses move off with a speed, v, and V, respectively in the
direction of m.
i. Assuming the collision to be elastic, write down the equation for the
conservation :

1. kinetic energy

2. momentum [2]
2mu
ii. Hence show that 𝑉 = M+m [2]

3. (a) Distinguish between distance and displacement. [2]

(b)A balil is projected at an angle 0 to the horizontal from a cliff 96 m high and strikes the
ground at a distance of 260 m away from the cliff as shown below:

2|P a g e mrmakwematics@J2024
 The time of its flight is 7.0 s

If it is assumed that air resistance is negligible, calculate

(i) the initial vertical velocity of the ball

(ii) the time to reach the greatest height,

iii) the initial horizontal velocity,

(vi) angle ɵ

(v) the velocity of the projectile on hitting the ground. [11]

4. Explain quantitatively, using Stoke's law how a body falling through a viscous
fuid under laminar conditions attains a terminal velocity.[4]

5. a) Define torque of a couple. [1]

b) The diagram below shows a wheel supported by a pin P at its centre of gravity.

Two parallel forces each 40 N act on the edge of the wheel in the vertical directions.
Friction is assumed to be negligible.
i) Indicate on the diagram any two other forces present.
ii) Calculate the torque of the couple on the wheel.
iii) State and explain whether or not the wheel is in equilibrium. [6]

3|P a g e mrmakwematics@J2024
 6. The diagram below shows a 10N uniform rod which is 1.2m long. The rod is held horizontally by
a cable attached at point Y and point Z. The cable makes an angle of 40o with the vertical and a
30N load is hung at point Y.

Calculate the
i) tension in the cable
ii) angle, ɵ
iii) reaction, R [7]

7. a) Define centripetal force. [2]

b) A 0.8 kg object, attached to a string 0.5 m long, is whirled in vertical circle at a constant
speed. The minimum tension in the string is 30 N
Calculate the:
i) angular frequency,
ii) linear speed
iii) maximum tension in the string. [4]

c) A grinding blade of diameter 40 cm , rotates at 600 revolutions per minute when in use.

Calculate for a point on the edge of the blade, its

i) linear speed
ii) acceleration [4]

d) Explain why a car experiences normal reaction less than its weight when going up a hump [2]

8. a) i) State the newton’s law of universal gravity, defining all symbols used .[3]
ii) Explain why masses on earth do not feel attracted to each as the universal gravity states. [1]

4|P a g e mrmakwematics@J2024
 iii) Sketch a graph to show the variation of g with r the distance from the centre of a massive
planet with radius. [2]

b) Define gravitational potential [2]

c)The graph below shows variation of gravitation potential near a certain planet.

Determine the

i) Gravitational potential at Y
ii) Chang in potential energy of a 200kg mass moved from point Y to point X
iii) Gravitational field strength at Y [5]

d) Explain why values of gravitational potential near an isolated planet are always negative.
[3]

9. a) A satellite of mass , m is in a goestationary orbit.

i) Define a geostationary orbit
ii) Show that the radius r of the orbit is given by

Where symbols have their usual meanings. [3]

b) A star 4.6 ×1020 m from the centre of a galaxy has a mass M. The star orbits with a speed of

v = 3 x 105 ms-1.

Determine the mass M of the galaxy. [3]

5|P a g e mrmakwematics@J2024
 10. a) A satellite of mass M is moving in circular orbit of radius R about the Earth.
Show that
i) the period T is related to R by

ii) the kinetic energy EK of the satellite is

b) If the satellite was moved to a lower orbit , explain what would happen to

i) the period

ii) the kinetic energy of the satellite

iii) the potential energy of the satellite [6]

{TOTAL: 100 marks }

“In science there is only physics, all the rest is stamp collection!” Lord Kelvin

6|P a g e mrmakwematics@J2024